Tub and agitator for washing machines



G. E. WHITLOCK 2,565,056

TUB AND AGIT ATOR FOR WASHING MACHINES Aug. 21, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Feb. 7, 1945 Snventor ieorgefl llilillaclz y Bu Aug. 21, 1951 G.E. WHITLOCK TUB AND AGITATOR FOR WASHING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledFeb. '7, 1945 Suventor 7 torncus Patented Aug. 21, 1951 'rua ANDAcrrA'roa roa wasnmc MACHINES George E. Whitlock, Warren, Ohio, assignorto Mullins Manufacturing Corporation, Salem, Ohio, a corporation of NewYork Application February 7, 1945, Serial a... 576,523

Claims. 1

The invention relates to washing machines and more particularly to theconstruction of a tub, the construction of an agitator, and acooperative relation between a tub and agitator in a power driven wmhingmachine.

There has been extensive use of the so-called oscillating agitator typewashing machine in which an agitator having a base, a center post andradial blades extending outward from the post and upward from the baseis located in the lower portion of the tub and oscillated, with clothesand washing fluid in the tub, to cause a so-called roll-over action forcarrying out a washing operation.

Innumerable shapes of agitators have been used with innumerable tubshapes; and provisions have been made, either by coacting parts on thetub and agitator, or by locating the agitator base in a recess or wellin the tub bottom, for preventing clothes from entering under theagitator base between the base and tub bottom wher they may be damagedor torn during oscillating movement of the agitator. The tub, ofnecessity, must be capable of complete drainage after washing operationshave been completed, and drainage formations must be provided in the tubbottom.

The shape of the tub bottom in an agitator type washing machine hastherefore been complicated in order to provide against damage to clothesbetween the agitator base and tub bottom and to satisfy drainagerequirements. Such tubs are usually drawn in one piece from a sheetsteel blank and provided with a vitreous enamel protective surface.Thus, the complicated shape of the tub bottom renders the manufacture ofa one-piece enameled sheet steel tub difficult and expensive.

It has always been believed necessary to provide a base for the agitatorof an agitator type washing machine in order to obtain the desiredroll-over water action, and in order to prevent clothes from catching,sticking, tearing and ripping between the tub bottom and agitator bladeswhen the agitator is oscillated.

Considerable scum, dirt and other foreign matter collect on theunderside of the agitator base in an agitator type washing machine; andbuttons, pins and other foreign objects collect beneath the base of theagitator. Therefore, it has always been necessary to provide for theready removal of the agitator from the tub by the user upon completingwashing operations to enable the agitator to becleaned and maintained ina sanitary condition, and to enable foreign matter to be removed fromthe tub bottom.

These requirements have complicated the construction of an agitator inorder to provide the base, the center post, the radial blades, and forready removability. As a result, the manufacture of such agitators hasbeen complicated and expensive regardless of the character of materialfrom which the agitators are made, such as cast aluminum, zinc, or otherlight metal, plastics, sheet metal stampings, and the like.

There have been washing machines including paddle-like or propeller typeblades mounted on a center shaft in a tub and located a substantialdistance above the tub bottom. These constructions eliminate some of theforegoing difliculties. The machines have been very inefficient inwashing and do not produce the characteristic rollover action to anysubstantial degree.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention toeliminate the complications and reduce the cost of manufacture ofagitator type washing machines.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tubconstruction for an agitator type washing machine having a simplifiedbottom shape which may be readily formed as a one-piece tub deep drawnfrom a single blank of sheet metal.

Likewise, it is an object of the present invention to provide anagitator construction for an agitator type washing machine which may bereadily and inexpensively formed from any' desired material.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide anagitator construction for an agitator type washing machine in which theagitator may be advantageously formed from simple sheet metal stampingsand tube elements.

I have unexpectedly discovered, contrary to prevailing beliefs, thatclothes are not caught, pinched, damaged, nor torn between the blades ofan agitator and the tub bottom if the agitator base is eliminated in anagitator type washing machine; provided that the bottom edges of theagitator blades are located closely adjacent the tub bottom and have thesame contour as the adjacent tub bottom.

Furthermore, I have discovered that if the tub bottom is provided with acentral conical shape having an outer base diameter approximately of thetub diameter and with a cone angle of approximately 20 to 30",preferably about 25, and with a sweeping quarter-round curved wallformation connecting the cone wall and tub side wall; and if such a tubbottom is associated with an agitator having blades terminating closelyadjacent and conforming to the contour of the tub been obtained inagitator type washing machines. I

As a result, washing machines constructed in accordance with the presentinvention can wash a given load of clothes much more rapidly than priorart agitator type washing machines of the same size, or can wash alarger load of clothes in the same time required for washing a, smallerload of clothes in the same sized prior art washing machine.

Furthermore, I have discovered that there is a characteristic result inoperating washing machines of the present invention-apparently due tothe violent turbulence, or to the more rapid roll-over, or to strongwater currents at the tub bottom as the agitator blades sweep across andclosely adjacent to the tub bottom-of substantially eliminating anytangling, balling up or bunching of clothes which normally occurs in theoperation of prior art agitator type washing machines.

Accordingly, it is a further object of the present invention to providean improved cooperative agitator and tub bottom construction foragitator type washing machines which eliminates a base on the agitatorand substantially increases the violence of the water action andturbulence, the efliciency of washing, and the load which may be washed,and which decreases the time of washing.

Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedtub bottom and related agitator construction in which the bottom edgesof the agitator blades sweep back and forth and closely adjacent to thetub bottom without catching clothes between the blades and tub bottom.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved agitator and tub bottom construction for an agitator typewashing machine which when operated reduces tangling, balling andbunching of clothes to a minimum.

Also, it is an object of the present invention to generally improve,simplify, and reduce the cost of manufacture of tubs and agitators foragitator type washing machines.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to incorporate theforegoing desiderata in the construction of agitator type washingmachines.

These and other objects and advantages apparent to those skilled in theart from the following description and claims may be obtained, thestated results achieved, and the described difllculties overcome, by thedevices, constructions, arrangements, combinations, sub-combinations,parts, elements, discoveries and principles which comprise the presentinvention, the nature of which is set forth in the following generalstatement, a preferred embodiment of which-illustrative of the best modein which the applicant has contemplated applying the principlkis setforth in the following description and shown in the drawings, and whichis particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appendedclaims forming part hereof.

The nature of the improvements in washing machines of the presentinvention may be stated in general terms as preferably including in anagitator type washing machine, a tub preferably formed in one piece fromsheet metal having preferably cylindrical side walls terminatimg in anydesired upper open end formation and having an integral bottom wall, thebottom wall being formed to have a central shallow convex conical shapeangled at about to and preferably about 25, the base of the cone havinga diameter approximately to the diameter of the tub side walls, theconical formation being joined with the side walls by a sweeping curvedpreferably approximately quarter round wall preferably formed on aradius equal to approxi mately that of the cone base or /2 of the radiusof the tub side walls, there being a drain opening formed in the bottomwall adjacent the base of the cone shape where it merges with the curvedbottom wall portion, a central opening in the tub bottom, means mountingthe tub on a supporting base, drive means for the washing machineincluding a shaft extending through said central opening, an agitatoroperatively mounted on and connected to said shaft including a, centralpreferably tubular stem, post or spindle and a plurality of preferablyradially located blades extending outwardly and downwardly from saidcenter post having their lower edges located closely adjacent to the tubbottom wall with only an intervening operating clearance, the loweredges of the blades being shaped to conform to the conical and curvedcross sectional shape of the tub bottom wall, and said drive itneansincluding means for oscillating the agiator.

By way of example, a preferred embodiment of the improved washingmachine construction is illustrated in the accompanying drawings formingpart hereof wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a washing machineprovided with the improved tub and agitator construction;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the improved tub and agitator;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical view, with parts in section, illustratingone form of improved agitator formed of sheet metal stampings andtubular parts; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 3.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the various figuresof the drawings.

The washing machine comprises a tub generally indicated at I supportedin any desired manner on an under base structure 2 within which thedriving mechanism generally indicated at 3 is housed, the base 2preferably being provided with legs 4 supported on casters 5. Anydesired type of drive mechanism may be used. including a motor 6 andmechanism for transmitting oscillating rotation or rotary reciprocatorymovement to the agitator drive shaft I.

The tub I includes preferably cylindrical side walls 8 terminating in anupper open end 9. Although a beaded upper edge for the tub side walls 8is illustrated at 9, it is to be understood that the upper open end ofthe tub I may have any desired formation frequently used for washingmachine tubs, such as illustrated in the French et al. Patent No.2,131,027, the Bohm Patent No. 2,239,696 or the Gonda Patent No.2,356,457, or in the Bohm application Serial No. 406,366, filed August11, 1941, now Patent No. 2,425,986, issued August 19, 1941.

The bottom wall of the tub is formed with a central shallow convextruncated conical shape In having a straight line contour incross-section, as shown, extending approximately to the zone ll so thatthe base of the cone has a diameter approximately to /2 of the diameterof the tub side walls, as shown. The bottom of the tub then is formedwith a sweeping curved wall I2 extending immediately from the conicalwall In and directly connecting or joining the conical formation l0 andthe tub side walls 8; and the curved wall I! is preferably formed on aradius about a point indicated at R equal to approxi mately that of thecone base or to approximately of the radius of the tub side walls. Thecurved portion l2, however, need not necessarily be formed on a radius,so long as it has a sweeping curved shape and extends throughapproximately one-quarter of the tub diameter at'each side thereof.

The angle which the conical wall ll makes with a horizontal plane is, inaccordance with the present invention, about 20 to 30 and preferablyabout 25. A drainage opening I3 is also provided in the tub located inthe intermediate trough where the curved wall l2 merges with the conicalwall The central portion of the tub bottom wall is provided with a flatring-like portion l4 forming a central opening IS. The ring-like portionI4 is clamped on top of a tubular housing post It by nut II. The driveshaft 1 extends upward from housing It through nut I1 and any desiredpacking may be provided at l8. The drive shaft I extends upwardly to thetop region of the tub and may be provided with spline formations I9 orany other drive formation means for driving an agitator, generallyindicated in Fig. l at 20.

In accordance with the present invention, the agitator 20 .includes acenter post 2| and blades 22 of any desired number, four blades beingshown. The upstanding blades preferably extend radially outward anddownward from the center post and at right angles to the tub bottomwall, and the lower edges 23 of the blades are located closely adjacentto the bottom wall of the tub. The space between the lower edges 23 ofthe blades and the bottom wall of the tub is very small and only thatnecessary for proper operating clearance between the-blades and tubbottom wall when the tub is assembled and the agitator is oscillatingwith water and clothes in the tub.

Furthermore, the shape of the bottom edges 23 of the blades 22 conformsto the cross-sectional shape of the tub bottom, as best shown in Fig. l.The blades, as shown, extend outward slightly beyond the end of theconical formation and conform to the curved wall l2 of the tub bottom.The diameter to the outer edges 24 of the blades should be approximatelyof the diameter of the tub I although the blades may be a little shorteror a little longer than such an exact dimension; and the curved tub walll2 sweeps upward from the outer edges of the blades.

Furthermore, the exact formation of the side and top edges of the blades22 is not important so long as the blades have substantial depth andlength, as shown, and so long as the lower edges 23 thereof conform tothe shape of and are located closely adjacent the tub bottom wall.

The upper end of the agitator center post 2| is preferably provided witha sleeve 25 formed with splines meshing with the splines l9 at the topof drive shaft 1; and a cap 26 may be provided at the top of theagitator post 2| by means of which the agitator is secured to the driveshaft by a screw 21. Another sleeve '28 is provided at the lower end ofthe agitator post 2| for locating and centering the agitator 20 on driveshaft 1.

In operating the washing machine, the tub I is filled with washing fluidapproximately to the water line indicatedat 29, the drive mechanism isactuated and the desired load of clothes is inserted in the tub. As theagitator 29 oscillates back and forth, and as the blades 22 sweep backand forth across and closely adjacent to the tub bottom wall, strongwater currents are set up producing violent turbulence and inducing avery rapid roll-over action to the clothes therein; The

rate of roll-over is increased to a marked degree, in many cases beingsubstantially twice that of prior art agitator type washing machines ofthe same size with the same load of clothes and having similarly shapedagitator blades and with a base on the agitator but without the specificcentral conical and sweepingly curved tub bottom shown in the drawings.

Moreover, in operation, clothes such as shirts, or aprons with stringsdo not become tangled and balled up when being washed in the washingmachine of the present invention.

Furthermore, contrary to prevailing beliefs, the clothes do not catchand stick between the bottom edges 23 of the agitator blades of the tubbottom when the washing machine is operated. The reason for thisunexpected result is not clearly understood, but it is believed to occurbecause of the violent water currents set up by the moving blades as thesame sweep back and forth across and closely adjacent the stationary tubbottom wall, which sweep the clothes away from the center of the tubwith more violent force than in prior art machines.

As a result of the high velocity water currents produced and of theincreased roll-over action occurring and of the reduced tendency totangle clothes, 21. larger load of clothes may be washed in the sametime that it takes to wash a smaller load of clothes in the same sizedagitator type washing machine of the prior art. With equal sized loads,the washing machine of the present invention can carry out a washingoperation much more rapidly.

The tub I, in accordance with the present invention may be formed of anydesired material but it' is preferably formed of sheet steel with avitreous enamel coating or may be deep drawn from stainless steel stock.In either case, the specific formation of the tub bottom wall describedis most advantageous to carrying out a deep drawing operation for makingthe tub and the cost of fabricating'the tub is thereby substantiallyreduced because of the elimination of a relatively flat bottom, drainageformations, an agitator base recess, and the like, which havecharacterized tubs in prior art agitator type washing machines,

Likewise, the agitator 20 may be made from any desired material in anydesired manner. It may be formed of cast metal, or it may be formed ofsheet metal and enameled, or it may be formed of stainless steel. In anyevent, the elimination of a base for the agitator avoids many manufac-.turing complications and an agitator constructed in accordance with thepresent invention may be manufactured at substantially reduced cost.

The present invention also comprehends improvement in the fabricationand construction of the agitator 20, per se. Referring more particularlyto Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the agitator 20' may comprise the central tubularpost 2|, the upper sleeve 25 and the lower sleeve 28. The sleeves 25 and28 may be formed from tubular or bar stock by automatic machine tooloperations and welded or brazed within the ends of the tube 2|.

The blades 22 may be formed on the agitator post 2| by providing twoidentical A-shaped or saddle-like stampings 30, each including twoblades 22 connected by a curved saddle portion 3|. The stampings 30 maybe formed in the flat. A head 33 is then formed around the entireperiphery of the stamping. The stamping 30 is then preferably formedwith reinforcing and stiifening corrugations 34 running up one blade 722, around the saddle portion II at 35 and down the other blade 22 ofthe stamping 30. The stamping 30 may then be formed and bent to the A orsaddle shape shown.

Thus, the beaded edge 33 avoids sharp edges on the agitator blades andthe reinforcing corrugations 34-" supply substantial rigidity and stir!-ness to the blades and to the saddle portion 3|. The saddle portions 3|of each of the two stampings 30 may be welded, brazed or otherwisesecured to the tubular agitator center post 2 I, with each blade 22thereof at right angles to the other blade. Thus, when two stampings aresecured to the agitator post 2|, there are four blades spaced 90 apart.

Since the agitator construction eliminates a base, there are nocomplications in forming the agitator 20 from simple sheet metalstampings and tubular parts; and a strong rigid sheet metal agitator maybe made by the foregoing simple operations described.

The tub and agitator of the present invention are each characterized bysimplicity of construction and manufacture. Thus the costs offabricating the same are substantially reduced. More over, theparticular cooperative relation between the agitator and tub base shapesobtains the described new results in operation.

Accordingly, the present improvements eliminate the complicated priorart tub bottom shape; eliminate the necessity for a base for anagitator; eliminate the necessity of removing the agitator from the tubafter each washing operation; eliminate complications and reduce thecost of manufacturing tubs and agitators; eliminate catching, pinching,tearing, or damging of clothes between the agitator and tub; provide forincreased washing efliciency, increased loads and reduced time ofwashing; reduce tangling or bunching of clothes when washing; andprovide constructions accomplishing each of the foregoing objects andavoiding the described prior art difliculties.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requlrements of the prior art, because suchworks are utilized for descriptive purposes herein an dnot for thepurpose of limitation and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction illustrated anddescribed are by way of example and the scope of the present inventionis not limited to the exact deta ls of construction of the variousparts.

Thus, various shapes of agitator blades may be used, provided that theagitator omits a base and has the bottom edges of its blades locatedclosely adjacent and conforming to the contour of the tub bottom.Likewse, the tub bottom shape may be varied in dimension from the exactshape shown in the drawings, so long as there is a conical centralportion beneath the agitator blades and a sweepingly curved portionjoining the conical base and tub side walls extending sweepinglyupwardly from approximately the outer edge of the blades.

Having now described the features of the invention, the manufacture of apreferred embodiment of the improved tub construction, the manufactureof a preferred embodiment of the improved agistator construction, animproved cooperative relation between an agitator and tub bottom, andthe advantageous, new and useful results attained thereby; the new anduseful devices,

constructions, arrangements, combinations, subcombinations, parts andelements, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof, obvious tothose skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A washing machine agitator including a tubular center post, aplurality of saddle-shaped.

sheet metal stampings, each stamping comprising two terminal blades eachextending radially from the center post and a. curved saddle portionconnecting the blades, each stamping bein formed with a bead throughoutits periphery around the two blades and intervening saddle portion, andthe curved saddle portion of each stamping being secured to the tubularcenter post.

2. A washing machine agitator including a tubular center post, aplurality of sheet metal stampings, each stamping including a bladeextending radially from the center post and a curved saddle portion, thecurved saddle portion of each stamping being secured to the tubularcenter post, and reinforcing corrugation means extending outwardly ineach blade and around its curved saddle portion.

3. A washing machine agitator including a tubular center post, aplurality of saddle-shaped, sheet metal stampings, each stampingcomprising two terminal blades each extending radially from the centerpost and a curved saddle portion connecting the blades, reinforcingcorrugation means extending continuously along one blade around aconnecting saddle portion and along the other blade of each stamping,and the curved corrugated saddle portion of each stamping being securedto the tubular center post.

4. A washing machine agitator including a tubular center post, aplurality of saddle-shaped. sheet metal stampings, each stampingcomprising two terminal blades each extending radially from the centerpost and a curved saddle portion connecting the blades, each stampingbeing formed with a continuous peripheral bead extending entirely aroundthe outer edge of its blades and connecting saddle portion, reinforcingcorrugation means extending along one blade around a connecting saddleportion and then along the other blade of each stamping, and the curved,corrugated, beaded saddle portion of each stamping being secured to thetubular center post.

5. In a washing machine, a deep drawn, onepiece, sheet metal tubincluding imperforate cylindrical side walls, an integral bottom wall,the bottom wall consisting of an imperiorate, upwardly projecting,truncated conical wall portion having a base diameter within theapproximate range of /3 to /2 of the diameter of the tub side walls, theconical wall being angled at about 20 to 30 from the horizontal, asubstantially quarter round, impertorate, curved wall portion extendingimmediately from the conical wall portion and joining the conical wallportion with the cylindrical tub side walls, the curved wall beingformed on a radius approximating the rad.us of the conical wall base, anagitator free of a base including a center post, blades extendingradially outwardly and downwardly from the center post, the diameter ofthe outer edges of the blades being approximately /2 the diameter of thetub side walls, the bottom edges of the iades being located closelyadjacent and conforming in contour to the shape of the tub bottom wall,there being only an operating clearance provided between the bottomedges of the blades 9 and the tub bottom wall, there being a drainopening in the tub bottom wall where the curved wall merges with theconical wall, and means for imparting rotary reciprocation to theagitator. GEORGE E. WHI'I'LOCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

Number 10 Name Date Szekely Aug. 6, 1929 Faber Dec. 3, 1935 McCabe Sept.1, 1936 Skinner Jan. 2, 1940 Barker Aug. 27, 1940 Berg Oct. 28, 1941Landgraf Nov. 25, 1941 Kuhn Dec. 1, 1942 Clark Aug. 6, 1946 GottschalkNov. 26, 1946 Kuhn May 31, 1949

